Are you confounded/stymied/intimidated by botanic names? Why say “Heteromeles arbutifolia” when “toyon” will do? What do they mean? What is the correct pronunciation?
Join Arvind Kumar and Ashok Jethanandani for a walk through this beautiful preserve as we identify the plants around us. We intend to tackle botanic names head on ̶ with roots in Greek or Latin, each botanic name tells its own story. Toyon’s botanic name translates as “different apple with madrone-like leaves,” a reference to its red berries and serrated-edge foliage. We may even learn how to say it right (secret tip: with confidence!).
We will go up the Mayfair Ranch Trail and return via the Longwall Canyon Trail. The distance covered will be 4.3 miles with 500’ of elevation gain. We will walk through a variety of habitats: grassland, oak woodland, scrub, chaparral and riparian. We expect to see oaks, bay laurel, madrone, bigberry manzanita, toyon, coffeeberry, buckeye, holly-leaved cherry and snowberry.
Meet in the preserve parking lot at 10 am. Bring a hat, water, and a bag lunch. Dress in layers and appropriately for mid-fall weather. Heavy rain cancels. RSVP through www.meetup.com (“California Native Plant Society – Santa Clara Valley Chapter”) or at the OSA Events page www.openspaceauthority.org/visitors/events.html.
| Sun Mar 22 @ 9:00AM - 12:00PM Bird and Plant ID Walk at Lake Cunningham Park (San Jose) |
| Sat Mar 28 @ 9:40AM - 01:00PM Tulare Hill Wildflower Walk (San Jose) |
| Sun Mar 29 @10:00AM - 01:00PM Tour Roberto Adobe & Sunol House Ethnobotanic Garden (San Jose) |
| Sat Apr 04 @10:00AM - 02:00PM Mommy and Me Wildflower Walk Belgatos Park (Los Gatos) |
| Wed Apr 08 @ 9:30AM - 03:00PM Wildflower Hike at Pinnacles National Park (Paicines) |
| Sun Apr 12 @10:00AM - 03:00PM Calero County Park - Peña and Figueroa Trail Hike (San Jose) |
